Let’s compare it to the arguably the best double shot tank in the game, the Object 703 Version 2.
Firepower
| Spec | Contradictious | Obj. 703 II |
|---|---|---|
| DPM | 2,048 | 1,952 |
| Penetration | 225 | 221 |
| Damage | 360 | 390 |
| Caliber | 105 | 122 |
| Shell velocity | 1,000 | 1,150 |
| Ammo capacity | 80 | 40 |
So the DPM is about 5% higher then the 703, but it has less alpha damage and quite a bit less shell velocity, but that makes sense since the Contradictious uses AP ammo as standard, while 703 has APCR as standard ammo. Meaning Contradictious is not a great sniper, you’ll need to give much lead to your shots.
Not a huge advantage, but what is nice to have is such a huge amount of ammo capacity of 80 shells, makes spamming double shots that much less risky to not run out of the shells by the end of the game and also you can balance your loadout with more premium rounds.
Let’s take a look at the new mechanic this vehicle brings to the game, the instant double shots using the siege mode. If you are fighting such a vehicle, you can actually see in which mode the tank is currently.
Single shot mode
Double shot mode
So, if both barrels are open, it means the tank is in siege mode where it can shoot from the both barrels without charging. If one barrel is open, it is in single shot mode.
Unlike the 703 for example, it can’t use both barrels when in single shot mode, you fire one shell and then reload the whole shell and then you can shoot again.
While in siege mode, a lot of characteristics change on the vehicle:
| Spec | Siege mode | Standard mode |
|---|---|---|
| Aim time | 3.36s | 2.11s |
| Dispersion | 1.15 | 0.35 |
| … moving | 0.01 | 0.2 |
| … tank treverse | 0.01 | 0.2 |
| … turret treverse | 0.01 | 0.12 |
| Top speed | 20 km/h | 36 km/h |
Essentially, you get a lot slower and a lot more inacurrate while in siege mode. You also get a different reticle in this mode:
You get this kind of a reticle with 2 green lines on each side , each line represents a barrel.
If a line is solid, it means it is not obstructed and has free line of fire.
If line is dashed, it means barrel is blocked by terrain.
While this reticle should help you out not to shoot while one of your barrels is blocked, I much prefer a standard reticle that other double barrel tanks are using.
Mobility
| Spec | FV226 | Obj. 703 II |
|---|---|---|
| Top speed | 36 km/h | 38 km/h |
| Reverse speed | 12 km/h | 15 km/h |
| Power/weight | 15 | 12.5 |
| Weight | 70 tons | 60 tons |
Mobility wise is solid for a heavy tank, interestingly it has exactly the same ground resistances as the 703 version 2. With good power to weight ratio it reaches the top speed without any problems, but the reverse speed is quite slow and it will be hard to disengage.
Armor
| Spec | FV226 | Obj. 703 II |
|---|---|---|
| Hull armor | 150/70/60 | 140/100/60 |
| Turret armor | 250/120/90 | 220/120/90 |
While the 703’s turret and hull are really good for a tier 8, the Contradictious has even better hull and turret that will be hard to penetrate even for tier 9s and 10s.
It has around 230 mm of effective armor in main part of the hull, the lower plate has around 160 mm, so it can be penned even by tier 7s quite reliably. The hull armor on the front can take quite a beating from lower and same tier tanks, they will have hard time going through it with standard ammo.
Turret is the star of the show, around 330 mm of armor, even gold rounds from tier 10s will not penetrate most of the time which is amazing. At the top you have 2 weakspots around with 150 mm of armor, also they are visible when using your gun depression.
If you are going to use all 10 degrees of gun depression, your hull becomes godlike, with around 340 mm of effective armor. This tank is an absolute god on the ridgeline, like a Krangvagn on tier 10.
Side and rear tho are very weak indeed, even some HESH rounds will be able to go through your armor.
Miscellaneous
| Spec | FV226 | Obj. 703 II |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary camo | 3.48 | 6.27 |
| After firing | 0.69 | 1.19 |
| Moving camo | 1.77 | 3.13 |
| Shell cost | 1,200 | 1,180 |
| View Range | 370 | 350 |
This tank has absolutely terrible camo rating, you will get spotted by anything everytime, but at least you are not as blind as the 703 with 370 meters view range, still nowhere a good view range tho.
Shell cost is quite high also when you consider that it has 30 less alpha damage and it’s still more expensive then 703’s shells. It does impact the profitability of the vehicle.
Tips
Ridgelines make you a god in equal tier games, use them as much as possible, the only tank that could run your day is something like the BZ-176 with HE rounds.
You are a lot more accurate with the single shot mode, use it on middle to long ranges, while in close quarter combat you can rely more on the siege mode with double shots.
Since you don’t have the ability to use both of the barrels in the single shot mode, you are not as strong to hold your own in tricky situations such as the 703 can. Stick to your teammates to support you when you are reloading especially double shots.
Conclusion
Overall a great tier 8 premium heavy and a good credit maker. Gun is reliable source of dealing damage on longer ranges with great accuracy with single shots, while it can deal devastating amounts on damage with double shots in close range engagements. Packed with best in class turret armor, it can whittle down it’s opponents on the ridgeline with ease.
Check our review of the another 2024 lootbox tank:
